Valve mechanism for car tanks



y My 27, 1930. c. H, FQLMsBf-: 1,760,635

VALVE MECHANISM FOR CAR TANKS Filed Sept. 27, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /4 7 TOR/viv May 27, 1930. c. H. FoLMsBEE I VALVE MECHANISM FOR CAR TANKS Filed Sept. 27', 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May' 27, 193

l' H. roLMsBEE, or oRANroRD, Nnw Jnnsn, assreN-on To AnnRrcaN can AND FOUNDRY COMPANY, or Nnw YORK, N. Y., A coaronarron or- N-nw JERSEY VALVE MncHANIsM For; can ramas' Application filed September 27,1928.Y Serial No. 308,606.

This invention relates to valve mechanism for use with tanks having bottom discharge outlet valves. v

YVOne object ofthe invention is to yprovide '5 a combined operating mechanism for bottom discharge outlet valves and a relief valve for the tank.

Another object of the invention is to pro-` vide a combined discharge valve operator and relief valve which is normally concealed so as to prevent unauthorized tampering therewith. Y

' A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for mounting a relief valve mechanism in a tank dome which will also provide a means for mounting the valve operating rod in a suitable manner.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a unit for attachment or application to a tank dome, which unit-embodies the combination of a relief valve for the tank and an' operating mechanism for the bottom discharge outlet valve of the tank.

Still another object of the-` invention is' the provision of a device of the character dei scribed which is simplein construction, positive in operation and which is strong and durable in use.

Other objects and advantages of this inventionwill be apparent from the following description taken with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a broken central vertical section of a portion of a car tank showing the present vinvention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device; v

Fig. 3 is a top plan view Vof the device with the cap removed;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line lr-l of Fig. 2; n l

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on the .is of Fig. 2; y

Figs. 7 8 and 9 are sectional viewsof modified forms of the device; and

Fig.` l0 is a sectional view on the line lO-lO 'of Fig. 9.

line 6 6 Referring now more particularlyA to the drawings, in which similar lcharacters of reference designate similar `parts in the sev-V eral views, Figure l shows'a tank indicated generally at A, the same being provided with a dome B having' a dome head Cattached thereto in any suitable or desired manner.

The'tank also is provided with a bottom discharge outlet D controlled by a valve E of the rotary type positioned in acage F," the valve being operable by a valve rod G which extends upwardly to the device H of the present invention and now to be described.

' lith particular reference to F ig;l 2, the

.device of the present Ainventitm comprises a housing designated generally at K whichv is preferably of the-,form shown having a"depending recessed base portion-*2 and a con-v tinuous attaching flange 4t by which 'the housing maybe secured Vto the interior of the dome head C adjacent an opening -6 Vtherein by means of the rivets 7. The housing has been defined as recessed, butthis is merely a ques-` tion of terminology; the housing'being in effect a tubular casting vthe, lower-'endgof which is inwardlyiianged defining an openingS and also providing a continuous shoulder l() which supports af tubular valve casting l2; thelatter having an annular flange 14 intermediate its endswhich seats on the shoulder l0 thereby providing a depending end portion 16 the interior surface of which is squared to receive the squared'upper end 18 of the valve rod G.

Theupper end o f the valve Ycasting is normally closedbya screw plug 20 andl extending upwardly from-the upper end :are spaced lugs 22 betweenl which a suitable 'tool may-be l' inserted to rotate the casting, and the said upper end ofthe `casting is preferably reinforced by short vertical.y ribs 2A as seen clearly in Fig. 4.

rlhe interior ofthe casting l2 is provided" witha depending partition 26 whichl defines an air passage'28-leading to a chamber 30`v formed by a partition 32 which extends from the side wall of the castinginwardly and upwardly as shown at 84:, the yupward extension' of the partition 32 being united with the parf tition 26as at v36 and having an openingv 38VV therein `Y.which is normally closed by a ball valve 40. Also depending from the to-p of the casting 12 is avpartition 42 which provides alchamber 44 with theplug 20 and partition 26, within which chamber the ball valve is confined; the chamber 44 communicating with the interior 46 of the Vcasting through the space 48 between the upper edge of the partition 32 and the lower edge of the partition 42. The side wall of the casting 12 is` provided .with an elongatedv horizontal slot or port 49 which coinmunic'ates with the passage 28 heretofore mentioned, Athereby permitting air to pass into the interior ofthe valve casting throughtheport 49-into the passage 28 and then into the chamber 30 andV from there, upon displacement of the-ball valve, through the space 48 into the interior of the valve casting.

Supported on the shoulder 10 of the hous ing is a packing ring 50 having a flange 52 which overlaps the flange 14 of the valve casting and serves to prevent verticalmovement` of the latter in the housing.

The housing 2 is provided with an internally arranged threaded flange 54 towhich is secured a gland 56and interposed betweenthe lower `end of the gland' and the packing ring 50 is-a'suitable packing 57 for an obvious purpose. The gland 56 encircles the valve casting as clearly shown in Fig. 2, and the upper end thereof is formedwith toolengagling surfaces 58 (see Fig. 3) by which theV gland may be screwed home.v The gland is further provided with a pluralityof recesses externally threaded to secure a cap 68 which covers the valve casting. For sealing the in# terior of the cap, and hence the interior of the valve casting, a gasket70 is interposed be-` tween the upper edge ofthe flange 64 and a shoulder 7 2 formed in the lower end of the cap.

Duringuse, gas sometimes passes from the tank past the ball valve, it being apparent that due to jarring or road shocks the valve may and oftendoes vibrate in its seat thereby permitting gas to collect under the cap.- The ball valve of courseprevents this escape'of gas to a certain extent, -butlin the event'that gas does so collect, means are provided for permitting the gas to escape from within the cap to the atmosphere to prevent blowing oil:1 of the cap, and to that end the cap is provided with one or more portsy or vent 7 4 `through which gas may escape tothe atmosphere upon partial rotation of the cap. JAfter the cap has `been removed, the valve casting may be rotated to actuate the valve rod G to o-pen the discharge outlet and permit unloading of the cation of the inventionis shown, the invevn-V Y tion in this figure eni-bodiesaconstructionin -whic'h, when the valve-castingisrotated to actuate thervalve rod, the casting is elevated thereby preventing the replacement of the cap while the bottom.. discharge outlet is open and affording a positive and unmistakable notice -to an operator'that the bottom discharge outlet is openp In this figure, `the housing has been designated generally at L and comprises a relatively long tubularportion 100 having an attaching flange 102 at its upper end by.\vliich the housing is secured to the dome head C at the opening 6 therein.`

The lower end of the housing is VVinwardly flanged to provide ashoulder106'onwhich is seated an internally threaded packingl ring 108 which adjustably supports an eXteriorly threaded valve casting 110. In order .topre-v vent rotation of the packing ringwhen the valve casting 110 is rotated, the lower edge.

of the Ypacking ring isprovided with a plu-V rality of recesses 112 which receive integral lugs 114 formed on Vthe shoulderv 106. lith,v .the exception ofthe external threads by which the casting is mountedf'the construction of the casting is identicalwith that shown in Fig. 2 andthe same characters of reference are vtherefore applied and further description of the specificconstruction of the valve casting seemsto be unnecessary; a. description o-f the castingA in Figure., 1 suflicing vfor the de-i scription of the valve casting in Fig. 7.'V

.The packing ring 108 ofV the device shown in lfig. 7 is of substantial height and has a packing k116 mounted on the upper end thereof which is retained. byagland l118. vThe gland v118 is threadedly engaged l'with the threaded flange 120 of the housing, the gland having ahead 122 bywhich-it may be actuated kto position.y Theliousing L shown in VFig. 7 is provided with lugsv124 (one onlybeing shown) which dependfrom theattaching flange of the housing, said lugs carrying'.

upstanding bolts 126 which extend through apertured lugs 128 on ajcap 13,0. For securlng. the cap rover the valve casting, suitable fasteners such as the nuts 132 are applied.

Thecap normally seats on a flattened surface formedaround the upper end of the housing.I and for sealing theinterior ofthe cap against the admission of atmospheric air a gasket134 is. provided as'clearly seen4 in Figi. i

Y The device shown'in Fig. 8 maintains the j.

same Ygeneral thought as that of the devices shown in Figs. 2 and 7. The housingin Fig, 8 isV designated generally at lvl and-1s provided-with an attaching iiange 200 by which the housing may be attached to the dome head C adjacent the `opening 6 by means of thek rivets202. The housing comprises a main portion 204 and a reduced lower end 206 delining a shoulder 208 for supportingrpacking i set screws 216 lextend to secure the gland in relieve gas pressure within thecap `220, the` position; the'set screws contacting with the tlattened surface 218 of the housing M as clearly shown in Fig. 8. The valve casting has been designated generally at N and the saine is externally threaded near its upper end whereby said casting may be supported by the external threads ofv the gland 212. rEhe valve casting N is quite similar to the casting shown in Fig. 7 and also in Fig. 2, that is, as far as theV internal construction thereof is concerned, the same having theball valve shown clearly in Fig. 2 and the operation of the valve casting is the saine as that disclosed in Fig. 7 and described with reference to saidFig. 7, so no further description of the valve casting of Fig. 8'seems to be necessary. y rlhe externalthreads of the flange 214 of the gland212serve to secure a cap 220, and when the cap is removedatmospheric air passes into the valve casting in a manner her-einbefore described with reference to Figs. 2 and 7. Attention is called tothe fact that the construction shown in Fig. 8 permits the elevation of the valve casting 'N when operating the-'valve rod G, and lwhen the discharge outlet is open it will be appareit that the cap 220 cannot be replaced. To

latter is provided with a vent 222 the operation of which is similar to that described above with reference to Fig. 2. l

ln the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9, the housing P is provided with a reduced lower 4end 300 forming a seat 302 for packing material 304 on which a packing ring 306 is seated. The housing is provided with an at taohing flange308 by which it is secured to the dome head C adjacent the openings 6 by means of suitable fasteners such as rivets or the like. rlhe housing is provided with spaced lugs 312 provided with tapped recesses 314 in which fasteners such as bolts 316 or thelike are secured; the -boltspassing through ears 318 formed at the upper end of a tubular, interiorly threaded gland 320, the lower end of which latter bears against the packing ring 306 as clearly shown. rlhe valve casting in this instance is designated gener ally at R and is tubular in form and is keX- teriorly threaded near its upper end whereby to be secured in position by the gland'320.

The castingJR ishprovided'with a squared lower end to receive the .squared upper end of the valve rod G andalso is provided with vents 322. The upper end of the casting is providedY with a seat for a ball valve 324, formed by the partitions'k 326 and 328, .the partitions defining an air passage 330 from outside the-,valve casting to the interior thereof, andthe ball ofthe casting .being cut out..y

as shown at 332to deline an entranceport for air.4 to be directed yinto the air passage 330. The upper end of the casting is closedbya` plug 334and is further provided with spaced ears 336 reinforced by ribs 338.y

.The housing l? is provided atits upper end with an interiorly'threaded portion 340 which in effect is a flange the` upper edge of which i extends above the attaching face of the attaching flange 308. The threaded portion 340 secures a-cap 342 which is provided withan annular flange 344adapted to overlie the uping gasket 346 for an obvious purpose. Ar-

ranged ]ust below the lannular flange 344 is a vent 348 which permits any, gas kwhich may be collected beneathV the cap vto escape to the atmosphere upon unscrewing of the cap from its engagement` with the lflange 340 wherebyto prevent blowing olf of'thevcap.

`From the above description, it isfbelieved 9.5

that anyone skilled in the art to whichthis invention `appertains willreadily recognizey that'there has been provided a combined rebled as shown in Figure 1, for example, the

per edge of the flange 340 and to secure a sealdischarge outlet valve cannot be operated until the cap is removed. Vhen the cap is unscrewed, any gas which may have collected therebeneath escapes to the atmosphere,

through the vents provided in said cap before the cap is entirely removed from the housing. y

After the cap has been removed, a suitable tool may be inserted between the'ears at the top ofy the valve casting and the valve casting rotated Vthereby,thereupon actuating the valve rod G to rotate the valve E and p ermitthe discharge of'tank lading through the outlet D. Durin this unloading of the tanklading, it will be apparent that atmosphericV air is admitted through thepassages providedv therefor in the valve casting and the air passage'from the valve'casting into the tank dome and then,

of course, into the tank. With the device as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, rotation Vof thev valve castingalso raisesV the latter and prevents the kreplacement of the ,cap until the casting has been reversely rotated. to seat' thel discharge valve Ein discharge'outlet. i

The drawings hereinv disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention, `together with several modications thereof, but it is to be.

understood that various changes in the form position to close the and proportions of the devices shown'herein may be made within the scopecf theA appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention', the drawings being merely illustrative. Y

I/Vhat vis claimed is? Y l :1. In a car tank, a combined relief valve mechanism and valve rod actuator comprising a housing secured to the tank, a hollow valve casting supported by the housing and with which a valve rod is engaged, and a relief valve in said casting. v

2. A valve mechanism forear tanksV comprising a housing, a tubular casting supported by the housing, a relief valve in` said casting, partitions in the housing defining air passages, said partitions being united and having an opening at their connected portions which is normally closed by said valve, an

.inlet port in said casting leading to said air passages, and a cover normally concealing the casting.

3. ln a car tank, a combined relief valve and valve rod actuator comprisinga housing secured to the tank, a valve casting rotatably mounted in the housing and having its lower end formed to receive a valve rod, a relief valve in the casting, air passages leading from outside the casting to the interior thereof, and a cap normally covering the casting.

4. In a car tank, a. bottom discharge outlet valve, an operating rod therefor, and means for' operating said rod comprising a housino' secured to 'the dome of the tank'adu t? u n ]acent an opening therein, a tubular casting rotatably supported by the housing with its upper end extending through the opening and its lower end depending below the housing and having the valve rod extended thereunto, a Vcap secured to the housing and covering the casting to exclude air therefrom, an air passage leading into the interior of the casting,.a valve normally closing said passage to the entrance of atmospheric air, and

`means on the casting for engagement by a tool-whereby the casting may be rotatedto operate the valve rod to open the discharge valve whereby tank lading is discharged and' the valve in said casting is operated.

5. A device of the kind described comprismatically operable therein andsprovided with a valvevrod engaging portion, means for rotatably `supporting said casting, and a capl normally covering said casting toexclude air from the interior thereof.

6. In a car tank, a bottom discharge outlet valve anda valve rod therefo"r,`andj means for actuating said valve rod and for admitting air into said tank comprising a hollow member rotatably supported and provid'edwith a valve rod engaging portion at its low-er end whereby` rotation of said member actuates ksaid rod, a valve in said member, a cap n ormally covering said member and preventing ing a tubular casting having a valve 'autovalve,'fa vvalve rod therefor, a valve rod actu-v ator,vmeans .supporting the actuator, a packing ring in said support enagaging the yactuator, a packing gland surrounding the actuator for restraining the latter against vertical movement, means retaining the gland in predetermined position, a relief valve in Y said actuator normally operable after rotation thereof to open the discharge outlet, and a cap normally covering the actuator to prevent rotation thereof.

9. In a car ltank having a bottom discharge outlet valve and afvalve rod extending therefrom, `a-combined valve rod actuator and relief valve mechanism comprising a tubular casting rotatably secured to the tank and into which the valve rod extends to vbe actuated thereby, a relief valve in said casting, and a cap normally concealing the casting.

l0.` A reliefvalve mechanism and valve rod "actuator for car tanks comprising a housing secured to the tank, a tubular valve casing supported by the housing and rotatable therein, partitions therein defining passages and a valve seata valve on saidiseat normally separating the passages and preventing passage .of fluid therebetween, aport-in the casing leading toone of said passages, and a cover concealing the casing and removable to permit rotation thereof 'and passage of air through the port to the passages.

ll. A device of the kind described comprising a valve casing support, a valve casing rotatable thereinl and having a valve rod connector at one end thereof,.a cap normally cov'- ering the casing, a relief valve in the casing operable'wlien the ycap is removed to permit Vair to enter the casing, and means surrounding thecasing for retaining'the casing in normal position in said support. t

.12.V In combination with a car tank having a bottom discharge outlet valve anda valve rodtherefor, a relief valve mechanism for the tank comprising a single unit secured tov` the tank and including a supporting member, acap therefor arranged without the tank,

' a tubular 4actuator with which the upper end of the valve rod is engaged supported by the supporting member, and a relief valve in said actuator. 'l

13. In a 'car tank, a bottom discharge outlet valve, a valve rod therefor, and actuating means therefor mounted in the tank and provided With a relief valve therein.

14;. In a car tank, a bottom discharge outlet valve, a valve rod therefor, and relief valve mechanism mounted in the tank and with which the rod is engaged to be rotated thereby. Y

15. A container having a discharge port and another port substantially opposite the discharge port, a discharge valve for the discharge port, operating mechanism for the discharge valve, said operating mechanism being operable from said another port, and means carried by the operating mechanism for controlling the flow through said another port to equalize the pressures inside and outside of the container.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. i

' 20 CLYDE H. FOLMSBEE.

qo Y 

